Ball puzzle skill toy



April 17, 1956 P. SIMON BALL PUZZLE SKILL TOY Filed May 15, 1953 INVENTOR. PHILIP SIMON BY Alf'Ufi/VE) U sd ta e Patfit 2,742,291; BAZLL PUZZLE star-To e I Philip Simon, Bronx, N. j Application May 15, 1953, sunsets-5,316

.1 flat-a. (emu-+ or puzzle ofthe balland pocket type.

A principal, object of the present inventionfisjto' provide a game apparatus in which a ball is causedto travel along interrupted paths toward a goal under the impulse of gravity due to various inclinations to which the game apparatus may be subjected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game or puzzle of this type in which the obstacles are so grouped and arranged as to offer the greatest possible obstacle to the accomplishment of the desired purpose.

A further object according. to a modification of the invention is to provide a game or puzzle of the ball and pocket type in whichone or more of the obstacles may be magnetized in order to add to the difiiculties of the game.

; It is further proposed, according to another modification of the invention, to provide adjustable obstacles in order to make the hazards interchangeable and therefore more difiicult,

Still another object of the invention is to provide a game of the ball and pocket type which is so constructed as to require time, patience and ingenuity for its solution, and which at the same time affords a great deal of amusement.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus of this type which is simple and rugged in construction and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost. a

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appendedclaim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is atop perspective view of a game apparatus I embodying one form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is 'a similar view with the cover in open position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention with the cover removed. 7

' Fig. 5 is a similar view of another the invention.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

' Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view.

The game or puzzle shown in Figs- 1 to 3, inclusive, embodying the first form of the invention, comprises a flat, rectangular-shaped casing or box 10 formed desirably of colored transparent plastic material. The casing consists of a shallow base or tray section 11 and a cover section 12 connected thereto by hinges 13.

The tray section 11 is formed with end peripheral walls 14 and 15 and side peripheral walls 16 and 17. The

modified form of plane of the 2,742,291 Patented Apr. .17, 1956 cover section,12 is, formed with end walls18 and 19 5 and side walls 20 and 21,v said walls being deeper than section, are secured to the top surface of the tray sec, tion ll by any suitable means, asfor instance bycementing or gluing. The bars extend transversely of the vtray section, away from the end walls, in staggeredoroffset relation thereby dividing; the surface of the tray section into a plurality of transverse. raceways 25; The bar 'adjacent the end wall l t-or the;tray section is positioned withone rend closeto the side wall 16 of the tray-section. The other bars are. positioned so that. their ends are remote from the side walls thereby providinginner and outer longitudinal paths .26 and.27,.Irespectively, between the ends of the bars and the side walls of the tray section.

Adjacent the end wall 15 of the tray section and centrally thereof, a substantially V-shaped metal bar is suitably secured to the top surface of the tray section to provide a pocket 28 having its entrance opening'facing inwardly toward the bars 24. The barnext adjacent the pocket 28 is shorter than the other bars with one end directly in line with the center of the pocket. The arrangement and spacing of the bars provide a circuitous raceway or path for the travel of a ball 29, the diameter of which is larger than the depth of the tray section whereby it protrudes outwardly of the outer surfaces of the bars and outwardly of the outer edges of the walls of the tray section. When the cover section 12 is closed its body is slightly spaced away from the ball thereby providing freedom of movement for the ball yet serving to retain and guide the ball in its travel.

The top surface of the tray section 11 is smooth and the ball 29 is smooth and formed of metal so that it will roll very'easily and freely over said surface, thereby adding to the difficulty of Working the puzzle or game.

The solution of the puzzle should be started by placing the ball 29 between the end wall 14 of the tray section and the next adjacent bar 24. In working the puzzle, the tray section is so tilted in various directions that the ball is rolled through the successive raceways 25 I provided by the bars until it drops otf the bar next adjacent the pocket 28 and into said pocket as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. By having the bars extending transversely of the tray section, any sidewise tilting of the tray section tends. to direct the ball sidewise thereby adding to the difficulty of the puzzle. The blocking of one-half of the entrance opening of the pocket 28 by the bar next adjacent to it also adds to the elusiveness of the solution. 1

The modified form of game shown in Fig. 4 is similar to the'form shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, except that one of the bars, for instance, bar 24, is formed of magnetic material which enhances the interest and elusiveness of the game in trying to get the metal ball 29 past it. The other elements Ofvil'lfi game have the same reference characters as the elements of the form of Fig. 1. In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 5

to fl, inclusive,Jthe obstacle bars are adjustable length- Wise so as to afford an interchangeability which adds to the interest of the game. Each bar comprises an inner 3 7 lengths of 'the'obstalesthereby changing the sizes of the entrance and exit openings leading to and -rern the bars, respectively. Such changes'make the puzzle more interesting,

'-In all other respeets,' the form of the invention shown in Figs. to L7, inclusive, issiniilarto the form shown in Fig; 1 and similar reference numerals are used ts indicate similar parts. 1

While '-I- have illustrated and described "the preferred cnibodimentsnfmy invention, it is to=be understood-that I ''de not limit myself to the precise -'constru'ction-s herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the sc'ope-n'f the invention a as defined in the appended claim. 7

Having thus d'escri'becl my -'invention, what I claim 7 as new, and-desireto secure by United States Letters Patent'is:

A game including a'shallow rectangular tray with side and end peripheralwalls, a plurality of elongated straight obstacle bars spaced along andextendedadjustablyanti 20 transversely 'of the'top surface of the tray forming a number of =rac'eways, said bars terminating' short-of said side peripheral walls, .theends of said-bars being spaced from the side walls of the tray and being staggered in relation to each other .to'form staggered entrance and exit epenings for the raeeways, each-of said-obstaele -bars consisting of an elongated bar of trapezoidal shape in cross-section fixed to the top surface of the tray and an elongated bar of substantially spherical shape in crosssection with a slot along its surface of trapezoidal crosssection interlocked with said fixed bar and slidable therealong for adjusting the Ilettgth of the obstacle bar, a V-shaped bar at one end at the center of the tray spaced from the obstacle -bars-"and'=tray Waits and forming a pocket with its opening faeing-saidzbarsgand a ball freely rollable over the top surface of the tray along said race- Ways for :iiltimate marvel the pocket.

ReferencesCi'tedinthe fileo'fthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 603,217 Archibald Apr. 26, 1898 7 32,3L2 McLeod June 30, $903 317,254 1 Cook ..d. t Apr. 6, 1909 1,291,105 Parker ..;...Q. e. i ,lan. 14, 11.919 2,563,608. Lauier Aug. 7,1951 2,665,912 .Juran Jan. 12, .1954 

